Portugal

Portugal offers a fantastic diversity of habitats and birds in a relatively small area, which enables visiting several species rich areas in this lovely country without traveling long distances.

Within  a half hour’s drive from Lisbon’s International Airport, two remarkable protected wetlands, the Tagus Estuary and the Sado Estuary Natural Reserves, support an extensive set of birds including Greater Flamingo, White Stork, Booted Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Little Bustard, and Dartford Warbler, in addition to an excellent selection of ducks, waders, gulls and terns.

A further 90 minute’s drive will take us to Alentejo and the rolling plains of Castro Verde, home of Great Bustard, Montagu’s Harrier, Iberian (Spanish) Imperial Eagle, and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, among others. We’ll also visit the bluffs and hills of the Guadiana Valley Natural Park, noted for species like Black Stork,  Bonelli’s Eagle, and Blue Rock Thrush.

After exploring the Alentejo, another short drive reaches the Algarve, rich in protected wetland areas and situated on a major flyway for migrants from Africa. Some of the places we’ll visit, namely the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the Castro Marim Natural Reserve, are unique in Portugal as sites for the rare and highly localized Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gulls and Lesser Short-toed Lark. These are also excellent spots for close views of scarce species like  Red-necked Nightjar, and Eurasian Hoopoe and Iberian (Azure-winged) Magpie are particularly abundant. In addition, a pelagic trip off Sagres/Cape St. Vincent should provide an excellent opportunity for sea birds, possibly including Great Skua.

All of this birding activity is intertwined with visits to some of the most interesting historical and cultural sites of Portugal in Mértola, Sagres, and Lisbon. In fact, the country’s rich cultural heritage is on display throughout the whole of our route. At various times we’ll be joined by qualified historians who will guide us through the historic districts of Mértola and Lisbon, where we’ll wander along winding streets, through historic plazas and squares en route to an array of castles, cathedrals, Roman ruins, and promenades. We’ll have numerous opportunities to sample Portugal’s many culinary delights and great wines, including one wine tasting event.